New allegation in Haniyeh assassination: 'Bomb planted months ago'
The New York Times has reported that Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran, was killed by a bomb secretly planted in his residence months before.
Detailed Report
Citing seven different sources, including two Iranians and one American, the newspaper claims that the bomb, which killed Haniyeh, was placed in his residence about two months ago. The residence, protected by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and used to host high-level guests, was infiltrated, and the bomb was planted in Haniyeh’s room.
Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, was reportedly confirmed to be in his room around 2:00 AM when the bomb was remotely detonated.
The report did not explain how the bomb was smuggled into the heavily guarded building or how it remained undetected for weeks. This incident has been described as a "catastrophic intelligence and security failure" for Iran.
Israel's Alleged Involvement
While Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the assassination, Israeli intelligence officials reportedly briefed the United States and other Western governments on the operation's details immediately afterward.
Background
Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. On July 31, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that Haniyeh’s residence had been attacked.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, but Israeli officials have refrained from commenting on the incident.
Ismail Haniyeh was elected as the head of Hamas' Political Bureau by the Hamas Shura Council on May 6, 2017, succeeding Khaled Mashal.
